Response to depth questions?

[runsongas]

for passerby, i tell them the typical recreational profile and wildlife for the site and the process to get certified if they are interested. if they ask about why i have more than one tank, i will just stop it at saying it is extra gas for longer dives.

if another diver asks the deepest i have gone, i will tell them but follow up that i don't find depth records to be that fascinating, personal or otherwise.

 

[Centrals]

A real answer won't hurt.

 

[fish149]

+1 on giving a straight answer. I've asked that question before myself.

 

[JohnnyC]

I give a straight answer. No need to be cagey about it, but I don't understate the risk, complexity, and amount of training required to get there.

Got a buddy who was a former Navy diver, and his response is always, "207 meters, but that was with a helmet and a bell and a boat full of people helping me. Can't put all that in my duffle bag though, so now I like looking at the fish near the top." That usually placates people pretty well.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

I tell them the truth and will show them the video if interested.

 

[2airishuman]

The most common question I get from recreational depth divers or the general curious bystander when I'm seen in non standard equipment is 'what's the deepest you've dove?' I don't like promoting depth as a dive goal or something to be held as a remarkable achievement so I'm always hesitant to reply.

I'm wondering how you respond?

I haven't taken AN/DP yet and so my situation is a little different. Nonetheless, I get the predictable questions on shore dives:

1) how deep did you go/how deep is the lake/what's the deepest you've been?
2) where's your buddy?
3) anything scary out there?

Typically people are just making conversation and are curious so I answer in that light.

The depth question I try to answer by turning the discussion to the topography of the lake and the (shallower) locations where fish are found. If I'm pressed on my own dive history I'll talk about a specific deeper dive and the reasons for it.

The buddy question is harder because some people can be highly critical, or have a background with EMS and feel that I am putting rescuers at risk.

 

[RyanT]

Hey Cameron, how deep have you been?

Just kidding...I do agree with you about the importance of not glamorizing depth. If asked, I do give a straight answer, but then follow up with a discussion of training, equipment, and what it takes to get there. Like others have mentioned, I also tell them that I do deep dives for a particular reason (e.g. to visit a particular wreck) and most of my dives are actually much shallower.

 

[rjgiddings]

" All the way to the bottom" is pretty good. I will throw in the usual " where the cool stuff is today - provided I have enough gas for the return trip."

 

[kensuf]

" All the way to the bottom" is pretty good. I will throw in the usual " where the cool stuff is today - provided I have enough gas for the return trip."

The problem with that is I like to do wall dives off the coast of the Cayman Islands. All the way to the bottom is pretty damned deep.

 

[PfcAJ]

How I am I supposed to be a super cool mysterious clad in black tek diver if I tell people what I actually do?

"He's a hi tech diver! Underwater man of mystery! A genuine survivor! With all the latest dive technology!!"